AbeBooks Top 10 Most Expensive Sales for June 2009

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Kurt Vonnegut never goes out of style and demand for signed first editions of his finest novels will never wane. Slaughterhouse-Five tops our most expensive sales for June. Also on this varied list is a rare Arabic prayer book, a photo of Chopin, and something from Dante with a touch of Dali thrown in for good measure.

Most Expensive Sales on AbeBooks in June 2009

1.Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut - $7,500
A signed first edition copy of what is arguable Vonnegut's best work, published 1969.

2.Miniature Maghribi Manuscript of Dala'il ul Khayra by Sidi Muhammad ibn Sulayman al-Jazuli al-Simlali - $6,200
This copy of the Dala′il ul Khayra, the popular Islamic prayer book, was published in 18th century in Maghribi Arabic script. Its author, Muhammad al-Jazuli, is considered by many Moroccans as one of the seven saints of Marrakesh.

3.Photographic portrait of Frédéric Chopin - $6,078
An original print of the only known surviving photograph of the famous composer dating from 1849. This print seems to have been printed at the Goupil & Cie studio, around 1895.

4. The Store by Claes Oldenburg - $5,500
A poster published for Oldenburg′s one-man exhibition: The Store at 107 East Second Street in New York from December 1, 1961 - January 31, 1962. Based on the drawing: The Store, Study for a Poster. Oldenburg is best known for his public art installations including "Free Stamp" in Cleveland, "Dropped Cone" in Cologne, and "The Bottle of Notes" in Middlesbrough.

5. La Divine Comédie by Dante - $5,462
A 1963 pressing of Dante′s Divine Comedy, printed in six volumes and limited to 4,765 copies - this copy was 1,791. The printing is made unique by 100 water-colors from Salvador Dali.

6. Une Dance Macabre by Edmond Bille - $4,497
One of 20 numbered original copies of the 1919 publication signed by the artist, includes 20 original color wood engravings.

8.A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - $3,500
First edition, first printing of Dickens′ famous festive story published in 1843.

9.Sein und Zeitby Martin Heidegger - $3,179
First edition of Being and Time, one of the most important philosophical works of the 20th century, published in 1927.

10.The Jungle Book & The Second Jungle Book - by Rudyard Kipling - $3,024
First edition, first impression, of both books which are housed in a purpose-made leather clamshell box. Published in 1894, The Jungle Book is one of Kipling′s notable works and heavily influenced the Scouting movement.